Numerical analysis of nonlinear multiphase Stefan problems

For some materials such as binary eutectic alloy, polymorphous materials, organic phase-change materials, and many others, the change of phases may take place over a temperature range. In the present study, a hybrid numerical method is employed to solve such multiphase Stefan problems with temperature-dependent thermal properties. The combination of Laplace transform technique, control-volume formulation and Taylor’s series approximation is used to solve the nonlinear heat conduction equation. The moving heat source concept is used to treat the phase-change interface. The least-square iteration scheme is applied to determine the location of the phase-change interface. It will be found that the present hybrid numerical method is applicable to analyze nonlinear phase-change problems with more than one moving boundary.